A KIND-HEARTED bin collection crew have brought some early festive cheer to a devoted fan who suffers from a rare genetic disorder.

For the past three years Gary Robson, Lee Draper and Paul Foster have taken it upon themselves to club together to buy their biggest supporter a gift for Christmas.

Ten-year old Ryan Cunningham, from Annfield Plain, has special needs and attends Villa Real School in Consett.

The highlight of his week is on a Thursday when, as he puts it, “the men” come round.

Come rain, snow or shine he is waiting outside, in his own high-vis vest, to see his friends.

The three men visited Ryan at home recently to deliver a Christmas card and an early present, telling him that Santa left it with them to pass onto him.

Mr Draper said: “It comes out of our own pocket and we don’t mind because he’s a nice lad.

“He loves the bin wagon and we just thought it would be a nice surprise for him.”

Their generosity has overwhelmed Ryan’s mum Jacqui, who said: “Ryan had seen the bin men coming round and seen the flashy lights and he was interested, so we used to go out and just watch them and then over time they started stopping and speaking to Ryan.

“Every week they have some sort of conversation and they always make time for him.

“What the crew do for Ryan is unbelievable. I just think it’s something that they should be recognised for.

“It’s really nice that they take time to speak to him and it makes his day. I can’t speak highly enough of the three bin crew, they’re fantastic.”

In April, doctors told his family Ryan was one of only six people in the world to have the ‘nono’ gene, which has contributed to his condition and mean his development age is around four.

He also has kidney problems and mobility issues and is fed through a tube.

Ms Cunningham, 44, who lives with her husband, John, and their other son, Zak 12, said: “Sometimes he is poorly and if the bin men come around and do not see him outside the door they know to look up at the bedroom window.

“They will always give him a wave.

“When he was first born I was told he would never walk or talk but he can walk and he does talk but he cannot have a proper conversation.

“Thursday mornings are the highlight of his week and he knows to look out for the flashing of the lights.

“He was ecstatic to get his gift from the bin men.

“They came around and said ‘Santa Claus has been for you’.”

“They always make a fuss of him so it is not just for Christmas. They do it all year round and he loves it.”

Oliver Sherratt, Durham County Council’s head of Direct Services, said: “We are really proud of our big hearted bin crew, for their very kind Christmas gifts to Ryan over the last few years.

“It helps to demonstrate how much our teams care for the communities we serve, and I know that he regularly brightens up their day as they go on their rounds.”